Watch Paparazzi

Singer J Balvin spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

J Balvin has built a reputation as one of the most watch-literate artists in Latin music, and his latest sighting underscores that point emphatically. The Colombian reggaeton titan was recently spotted wearing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 'LeBron James' reference 26210OI — a limited-edition collaboration that bridges the worlds of professional basketball and high watchmaking in genuinely distinctive fashion.

The Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26210OI is built around a 44mm case that combines forged carbon with 18k pink gold for the lugs, crown, and pushers — a pairing that is as technically demanding as it is visually arresting. Forged carbon, composed of randomly oriented carbon fiber sheets compressed under heat and pressure, produces a unique marbled pattern on every individual case, meaning no two examples are identical. The dial echoes the case material with its own textured carbon surface, punctuated by pink gold applied indices and hands. Inside sits the caliber 3126/3840, a self-winding movement with chronograph function, offering 50 hours of power reserve. Water resistance is rated to 100 meters.

From a collector standpoint, the 'LeBron James' editions occupy a specific and coveted corner of the Royal Oak Offshore universe. AP's partnership with LeBron — who became a brand ambassador in 2021 — produced several references that sold out at retail almost immediately. The ref. 26210OI is particularly sought after because forged carbon cases in combination with precious metal accents represent genuine manufacturing complexity, not merely cosmetic differentiation. The piece was produced in limited numbers, and examples rarely surface on the secondary market without a meaningful premium.

J Balvin's relationship with Audemars Piguet is well established. The Medellín-born artist has been seen with multiple AP references over the years and is widely regarded as a serious collector rather than a passive recipient of brand gifting. His choice of the LeBron James edition speaks to an appreciation for culturally resonant limited editions that carry weight beyond their retail price.

At a UK list price of approximately £40,000 — translating to roughly $50,000 USD at current rates — the Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26210OI already commands a significant outlay at retail. On the grey market, limited-edition Offshore pieces tied to high-profile ambassadors routinely trade at 20–40% above list, placing the 26210OI comfortably in the $60,000–$70,000 range depending on condition and provenance.